Are You a Joy To Be With?
I like to begin class with a Q/A. Q/A is a question, or an idea to be explored. Here is an example:
Q/A: Every good thing requires effort. That includes happiness and being a joy to others. Here’s the big question: Are You A Joy To Be With?
Somethings to consider before you say Yeah or Nay
Are you easy to be with?
Are you fun to be with?
Are you someone people can talk with (you don’t dominate the conversation.)?
Do people walk away from you happier?
On your tombstone will it be said— ______________ was a JOY to be with?
If you think Yes, I am a joyful person.
Would others think you were a joy to be around?
Those who are not easy to be with, Do they KNOW IT?
Teacher Note
Not everyone is a joy to be around (for a reason). Often times we do not know what is going on in our students’ life. The great thing about health class is our curriculum provides us with a means to give our students hope, skills, information that will help them navigate their way to their hopes and dreams. Check out “Q/A: What is More Powerful, Goals or Habits” on my blog. You know your students. Some of them absolutely are not happy/are not a joy be with. Within this Q/A there is a short video and print material entitled 5 Steps of Being Resilient. Your students will learn they could be. They are only a choice and few steps away.
Follow up question: So, why make the effort to be joyful?
It is a beautiful thing to be a joy to others!!!
You will bring a smile, laughter and happiness to others. Happy people make the world a better place. Unhappy people, angry people don’t. Every good thing requires effort.
Ask your students:
What are a few things you can change about yourself to be a JOY to others.
possible answers—-
Never be a complainer. Complaining will only make your friends, family, the people around you sad. You can only complain if you have a solution to what your complaining about. If you don’t have a solution to a problem, don’t say a thing. Grievances/complaining/whining never solves a problem. They just lead to unhappy, angry people.
Find something to be grateful for. Grateful people are happy, joyful, contented people.
Smile a lot. You can’t give a smile away. It will always come back to you. That eye contact and smile to someone may just brighten their day. Someone noticed them, smiled at them, maybe even winked at them. They weren’t invisible.
Be genuinely interested in other people. When they talk, look at them and be interested in them. Not who they are, what they have, what they can do for you.
Learn to talk with people. Monitor how you come across. I call it the 4 sentence rule and see what happens. When you say something. If the other person is interest they will respond. If they are not looking at you as you speak, they are not interested in you. If they are interested, they will respond by asking you a question or making a comment. That is your signal to respond with a sentence or two. No more than 4 sentences then see what happens. That person will walk away convinced you are a great conversationalist. Why? You asked them about themselves. Most people don’t take the time.
Look your best. Do your best. Be your best. Three simple goals. They will make you a happier more confident person. Happy people make the world a better place for those around them.
I like to begin each class with what I call Q/A. I use it for:
- A way to get the students in their seats, on task and thinking.
- Time for me to complete tasks necessary for each class-roll etc.
- An activity that is a smooth transition into the day’s lesson or a review of previous material.
- It’s a weekly grade that is 10% of their final grade.
